Extendable collar

Abstract

A shirt collar for dress or sport shirts with an adjustable collar secured to the shirt body by a collar stand. An elongated fabric strip positioned within a fold in the collar band with one end projecting through a slot and with a button secured to its end and with the other end connected to an elastic strip, in turn secured to the collar band. The button may be engaged with the button hole on the other side of the collar band.

Description

SUBJECT MATTER OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the collar band construction of shirts and, in particular, dress and sport shirts.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]Conventional dress and sport shirts are ordinarily fabricated with collar constructions shaped and cut to a particular neck size. While many shirts suggest the shirt is adapted for a small range of sizes, as a practical matter that is not the case since the shirt collar bands are ordinarily made with non-stretchable components that have no give or yield once the shirt is buttoned to the neck.[0003]Some shirts have been designed in efforts to provide some stretchability of the shirt in the neck. These efforts, insofar as known, do not provide as great a comfort as one would wish, does not have the same reliability and performance as might be desired for shirts having substantial qualities. In particular, prior designs may permit too much stretching and thereby result in shirts with stretched collars that have ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved shirt collar mechanism that allows a wearer to dynamically adjust a collar size over a defined length while maintaining an appropriate appearance. The collar is secured to the shirt body by a collar stand or collar band in a conventional fashion. The collar assembly includes an outer ply and an integrally formed inner ply, with an interfacing or stiffener and inner self fabric. The collar assembly may be made in a wide range of styles and using a wide range of collar fabrication techniques. The collar is secured to the shirt body at its neck opening with parallel lines of stitching. The invention allows for a comfortable fit and provides adjustable collars that accommodate changes in a person's neck size over time."

Problems solved by technology

While many shirts suggest the shirt is adapted for a small range of sizes, as a practical matter that is not the case since the shirt collar bands are ordinarily made with non-stretchable components that have no give or yield once the shirt is buttoned to the neck.

These efforts, insofar as known, do not provide as great a comfort as one would wish, does not have the same reliability and performance as might be desired for shirts having substantial qualities.

In particular, prior designs may permit too much stretching and thereby result in shirts with stretched collars that have unsightly appearances and elastic or stretchable systems that do not stand up to wear and ultimately fail.

These prior art systems are also uncomfortable to the wearer since the components used to permit adjustable neck sizes are frequently bulky and; uncomfortable to wear.

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